MO prison program boosts produce donations

Produce grown by Missouri prisoners made a large impact on nonprofits this year.

The Missouri Department of Corrections' Restorative Justice Garden Program donated nearly 163 tons of food to food pantries, shelters, churches, nursing homes and school districts statewide in 2013, beating a record of some 117 tons set in 2012, according to a news release.

Near Springfield, inmates at the Ozark Correctional Center in Fordland produced more than 4,500 pounds of produce for food pantries in Marshfield and Seymour.

“This year’s record harvest is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and offenders who are helping the less fortunate throughout Missouri,” said George Lombardi, director of the Department of Corrections, in the release. “Our Restorative Justice programs provide offenders the means to help repay their debt to society, and it teaches them the value of compassion, which is a quality many of them lack in their lives.”

The Northeast Missouri Correctional Center in Bowling Green donated more than 62,000 pounds of produce, making it the top producer in the state.

The gardens at 20 of the state's 21 adult institutions, as well as three community supervision centers, are operated without tax funding. The seeds and plants are donated, and in return, the yield is sent out to area nonprofits, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]